Oklahoma's Latest Farm
And Ranch News
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Your Update from Ron Hays of RON
Monday, April 12, 2021
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Here is your daily Oklahoma farm and ranch news update.
- February Red Meat Exports Below Last Year, but 2021 Outlook Remains Strong
- Allendale's Rich Nelson Says Latest Wasde Confirms Expectations Regarding the Demand for Corn
- Wal Mart Heads The List of Grocery Stores Focusing on Providing Quality Beef For Consumers
- CoBank Quarterly: U.S. Economy Gathers Momentum, Policy Decisions Will Reshape the Future
- Statements on the President's FY22 Discretionary Funding Request
- ODAFF Receives Master Black Vulture Depredation Permit
- Introducing Sayge Vickrey of the Adair FFA Chapter, Your 2021 Northeast Area Star in Ag Placement
- Congrats to Clay Burtrum- Named OSU Animal Science Graduate of Distinction
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February Red Meat Exports Below Last Year, but 2021 Outlook Remains Strong
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February exports of U.S. beef and pork remained below the rapid pace established in early 2020, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). However, exports were consistent with USMEF's February projections and the federation still expects 2021 beef exports to increase substantially year-over-year, while pork exports are projected to narrowly surpass the 2020 record.
Beef exports totaled 103,493 metric tons (mt) in February, down 8% from a year ago, valued at $669.5 million (down 2%). This was due mainly to a decline in variety meat exports, as beef muscle cuts were steady with last year in value at $597.9 million on a volume of 82,530 mt (down 3%). Through February, beef exports were 5% below last year's pace at 208,540 mt, valued at $1.32 billion (down 2%). Beef muscle cut exports were down 1% to 163,928 mt and steady in value at $1.18 billion. Beef exports to South Korea are off to a very strong start in 2021 and demand for U.S. beef continues to grow in China, capitalizing on access gains achieved in the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement.
February pork exports were down 12% from a year ago at 239,240 mt, valued at $629.4 million (down 13%). For muscle cuts only, exports fell by the same percentages to 203,526 mt valued at $548 million. Through February, pork exports were 11% below last year's pace at 487,896 mt, valued at $1.27 billion (down 13%). Pork muscle cut exports were also down 11% to 411,760 mt, valued at $1.1 billion (down 14%). February pork exports set new records in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica and were very strong to the Philippines and Colombia. As anticipated, pork exports to China/Hong Kong trended lower than the enormous volumes shipped in 2020 but the region continues to be the largest destination for U.S. pork.
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The Oklahoma Farm Bureau - a grassroots organization that has for its Mission Statement- “Improving the Lives of Rural Oklahomans." Farm Bureau, as the state's largest general farm organization, is active at the State Capitol fighting for the best interests of its members and working with other groups to make certain that the interests of rural Oklahoma are protected. Click here for their website to learn more about the organization and how it can benefit you to be a part of Farm Bureau.
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Allendale's Rich Nelson Says Latest Wasde Confirms Expectations Regarding the Demand for Corn
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USDA on Friday released its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. USDA lowered corn ending stocks for the 2020-21 by 150 million bushels (mb) to 1.352 billion bushels (bb) but held pat with soybean ending stocks at 120 mb, and raised corn use for feed, seed and industrial use, as well as exports to drop the ending stocks for the crop.
Associate Farm Director, KC Sheperd spoke with Allendales Rich Nelson and he says overall, the report did confirm a lot of the trades expectations regarding the good situation for demand, "Regarding Corn, a lot of the trade feels there's still quite a bit more to go. USDA did drop stocks from 1.502 billion bushels to now 1.352, Again most of the trade would still suggested more for corn for ethanol as well as exports."
Nelson said numbers for the soybean side were relatively neutral, "USDA left the US numbers unchanged at 120 million bushels and that was expected. The world numbers, maybe where a little negative viewpoints might be seen. The USDA did raise these Brazilian soybean crop from 134 Now 136 million bushels. As far as the discussion on wheat, we did see numbers raised a 836 million bushels last month. Now, to 852. Keep in mind though, the trades focus is certainly on this new crop situation and maybe a little weather threat so that's why we're not seeing a negative ration on the wheat side on today's discussion."
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Wal Mart Heads The List of Grocery Stores Focusing on Providing Quality Beef For Consumers
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Wal Mart has been very aggressive in its efforts to deliver a great eating experience for consumers who buy beef at a Wal Mart store said Lamar Steiger, a cow/calf operator from northwest Arkansas.
Steiger is an advisor for Wal Mart and was a speaker at a recent Boehringer Ingelheim webinar on the cow/calf producer and their role in producing high quality beef for the consumer.
Wal Mart used consumer research to discover what they wanted at the meat counter.
The studies Wal Mart did include blind taste tests and consumer polling, Steiger said.
Steiger credits the Angus Association for promoting the Angus name to consumers.
Consumers recognize the Angus brand and it doesn’t matter if it is better because that is what the customer is asking for, he said.
I’ve learned to accept whatever beef product or brand the consumers want, he said.
All of those specialty programs (natural beef, grass fed, etc.) are growing and have a growing number of consumers asking for those kinds of things, he said.
If you have a breed of cattle with special attributes find your consumer market niche and go for it, he said.
I think every grocery chain is going to be looking for ways to differentiate itself from the pack, Steiger said.
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For our farmers who have either- always have had cotton on their farms- or those who have more recently have added the fiber crop to their operations- we have a new daily report starting to be heard on several of our Radio Stations- It's Called Cotton Talk- and we appreciate the Oklahoma Cotton Council for their support in making this a reality.
Click on the Button below to listen to our most recent report
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CoBank Quarterly: U.S. Economy Gathers Momentum, Policy Decisions Will Reshape the Future
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The U.S. economy continues to outperform expectations as stimulus funds are fueling robust consumer spending. Consensus forecasts point to 7% GDP growth for 2021, the fastest rate of expansion since 1984. Inflation is inevitable, however, as the 2020 price declines will widen year-over-year inflation over the next two quarters, and new upward price pressure should push headline inflation above 3%.
The transition to a less COVID-restricted world has begun. But for the economy and rural industries, there will be no going back to pre-COVID conditions. A transformed policy environment and awakened commodity markets are making way for a whole new operating environment, according to the new Quarterly report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.
“The policy focus in Washington is shifting from crisis management to building for the future,” said Dan Kowalski, vice president of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange division. “And the outcome of the president’s infrastructure plan will have substantial implications for rural water, power and broadband providers. Hundreds of billions of dollars in funding would reshape these industries and intensify the current focus on climate resilience and social equity.”
The cyclical turn in grain pricing, driven by strong demand and tight stocks, continued during the first quarter of 2021 and has picked up further gains ahead of spring planting. Accumulated grain exports to China have been very strong. While the backdrop for the grain and oilseed complex is positive, there are issues worth monitoring that could result in price volatility in the coming months. A recent surge of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Asian countries could temporarily slow soybean demand.
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We invite you to listen to us on great radio stations across the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network weekdays-
if you missed this morning's Farm News - or you are in an area where you can't hear it- click below for this morning's Farm news from Ron Hays and KC Sheperd on RON.
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Sponsor Spotlight
Dating back to 1891, Stillwater Milling Company has been supplying ranchers with the highest quality feeds made from the highest quality ingredients. Their full line of A & M Feeds can be delivered direct to your farm, found at their Agri-Center stores in Stillwater, Davis, Claremore and Perry or at more than 125 dealers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. We appreciate Stillwater Milling Company’s long time support of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and we encourage you to click here to learn more about their products and services.
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President Biden Proposes FY2022 Budget- Cabinet Loves It But One of the Senior Oklahoma House Members Does Not
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The Biden-Harris Administration submitted to Congress the President’s priorities for fiscal year 2022 discretionary spending. The funding request invests in the core foundations of our country’s strength and advances key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) priorities, including economic development and growth in rural America, maintaining support for American agriculture, rebuilding scientific expertise in our agencies, aiding in an all-of-government approach to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and supporting a strong safety net to address hunger and nutrition insecurity.
“The President’s budget provides the resources to build back better, stronger, and more resilient and equitably than ever before,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This is our moment to solve big challenges by acting boldly-to close the broadband gap facing rural America; to work with farmers, ranchers and producers to transform our nation’s food system and build new markets here and abroad; to protect and manage our nation’s forests and grasslands from catastrophic wildfires; and to ensure Americans have access to healthy and nutritious food. The President’s budget commits to building back better and USDA is at heart of that historic commitment.”
"The FY 2022 discretionary request for EPA makes historic investments to tackle the climate crisis and to make sure that all communities, regardless of their zip code, have clean air, clean water, and safe places to live and work," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Today's announcement recognizes that science is at the core of all that we do at the EPA and says loud and clear that the EPA is back and ready to work."
“NACD is encouraged by the proposals to strengthen funding for conservation,” NACD President Michael Crowder said. “President Biden’s budget includes significant investments within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Forest Service that will bolster voluntary conservation across the country.”
President Biden’s topline FY 2022 discretionary funding request (known as the "skinny budget") provides increased funding “for USDA’s research, education, and outreach programs." This request also includes increased funding at the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior for reducing hazardous fuel loads on federal lands, one of the greatest contributors to increased wildfire activity across the country.
Congressman Tom Cole added, “Broadly speaking, the president’s proposal spends too much on domestic programs and far too little on defense. With China and Russia building up their militaries and becoming increasingly more aggressive, America cannot afford to stand still or cut back in terms of its own defense spending. At a minimum, we need to see 3 to 5 percent in annual increases beyond the rate of inflation for defense spending over the next several years. By contrast, with inflation, the general overview the president submitted would be an effective cut. Domestically, Biden’s so-called skinny budget, like his coronavirus ‘relief’ and infrastructure proposals, simply spends more than our nation can afford. That is especially true after the massive stimulus spending added to the national debt in response to the coronavirus pandemic over the past year."
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ODAFF Receives Master Black Vulture Depredation Permit
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Oklahoma Farm Bureau welcomes the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry master black vulture depredation permit through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
Black vultures have continually caused problems for agriculture producers as the birds prey on newborn and adult livestock. These vultures are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits the take – including killing, capturing, selling, trading and transport – of migratory birds without permission from the USFWS.
Oklahoma farmers and ranchers can now obtain a sub-permit through ODAFF, which will provide producers with 5 legal takes of black vultures at no cost to the producer, upon completion of the sub-permit application.
Applicants must agree to follow all rules and regulations required by USFWS in the ODAFF statewide permit including:
Adoption of non-lethal measures to deter black vulture depredation
Producers must actively aim to disperse vultures through hazing with light, sound and/or devices.
Reduce attractants, such as open garbage, dead livestock, and outdoor feeding of domestic or wild animals.
Use of shotguns and “nontoxic” shot in the lethal “taking” of depredating black vultures
Must adhere to all state and local firearm laws and restrictions.
Any other methods (poison, trapping, etc.) will not be authorized by the permit.
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Introducing Sayge Vickrey of the Adair FFA Chapter, Your 2021 Northeast Area Star in Ag Placement
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During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report is spotlighting the twenty Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization.
The stars come from the five areas in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Production Agriculture.
This week, we spotlight the five area stars in Ag Placement for 2021.
One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories, will be named the State Star Award Winner during the 95th Oklahoma State FFA Convention coming up April 27, and 28th in Oklahoma City.
This week, our coverage of the 2021 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists continues with Ag Placement competitor Sayge Vickrey of the Adair FFA chapter representing the Northeast Area.
Vickrey’s project is working on the family-run ranch where she does everything from baling hay to working cattle.
I plan on returning to the family ranch someday, she said.
Time management has been one of they key things she has learned from the project as she also is an avid softball player and has many other FFA activities.
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Congrats to Clay Burtrum- Named OSU Animal Science Graduate of Distinction
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A shout out this morning to Clay Burtrum of Stillwater- named a Graduate of Distinction at the Oklahoma State Animal Science Alumni Gala on Saturday- Congrats Clay- well deserved!
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OKC West is our Market Links Sponsor- they sell cattle three days a week- Cows on Mondays, Stockers on Tuesday and Feeders on Wednesday- Call 405-262-8800 to learn more.
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Today's First Look:
Ron on RON Markets as heard on K101
mornings with cash and futures reviewed- includes where the Cash Cattle market stands, the latest Feeder Cattle Markets Etc.
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Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices continue to go higher- Choice Beef was up $1.67 and Select Beef was up 24 cents on Friday April 9th
Click on the Button below for the latest report from USDA Market News
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Oklahoma National Stockyards reported 8,616 cattle late Sunday afternoon- and GM Kelli Payne expects 9,200+ when things start this morning- the auction start time this AM is 6:30 AM.
Compared to the last sale in March- Feeder steers 2.00-4.00 higher. Feeder heifers steady to 3.00 higher. Steer calves steady and heifer calves 3-8 higher. Demand moderate to good.
Click below for the complete closing report.
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Superior Livestock held their two day Gulf Coast Classic this past week- 58,000 were sold.
Receipts included 46 percent from South Central; 5 percent North Central; 41 percent South East; 1 percent North East and 7 Percent West. Current deliveries are cattle that will deliver up to 14 days from the last sale day of the video. Current delivery is up to April 23, 2021. Deliveries are current through Dec 2021.
Click on the Button below for the preliminary report from USDA Market news.
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Each afternoon we are posting a recap of that day's markets as analyzed by Justin Lewis of KIS futures - click below for the latest update on the Livestock and Grain Futures Trade..
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Okla Cash Grain:
Daily Oklahoma Cash Grain Prices- as reported by the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture- The report available after the close of the Futures Trade for that day.
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Our Oklahoma Farm Report Team!!!!
Ron Hays, Senior Farm Director and Editor
KC Sheperd, Associate Farm Director and Editor
Dave Lanning, Markets and Production
Sam Knipp, Farm News Editor
Pam Arterburn, Calendar and Template Manager
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Rural Oklahoma is full of some of the greatest success stories throughout the entire state and is the main reason Oklahoma is on track to become a top 10 state.
The Road to Rural Prosperity will dive into these stories each week, bringing you insight into the great things happening in and to rural Oklahoma. We will bring you stories covering rural life, agriculture, energy, healthcare, tourism, and politics affecting rural America.
The Road to Rural Prosperity is here to tell stories about rural America, for rural America.
Host KC Sheperd sat down with Dr. Brett Carver, Regents Professor
Wheat Genetics Chair in Agriculture, Wheat Breeding and Genetics in his office on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater and talked about a variety of subjects- all relating back to his passion for breeding wheat. He offered his take on how the 2021 wheat crop has handled the historic freeze the southern plains dealt with in February of this year, reviewed the wheat varieties that have come out of his program and looked ahead to what might be coming next.
To find out more about our full series of Podcasts on The Road to Rural Prosperity- click or tap here.
To hear this podcast, you can click here or tap below:
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Our thanks to Midwest Farms Shows, P & K Equipment, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Ag Mediation Program, Great Plains Kubota, Stillwater Milling Company, Oklahoma Cotton Council, National Livestock Credit Corporation, Oklahoma Beef Council, Oklahoma AgCredit, Union Mutual Insurance, the Oklahoma Cattlemens Association, and KIS Futures for their support of our daily Farm News Update.
For your convenience, we have our sponsors' websites linked here- just click on their name to jump to their website- check their sites out and let these folks know you appreciate the support of this daily email, as their sponsorship helps us keep this arriving in your inbox on a regular basis- at NO Charge!
We invite you to check out our website at the link below too that includes an archive of these daily emails, audio reports and top farm news story links from around the globe.
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God Bless!
Reach Out To Us:
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Tim West
President/General Manager
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
2401 Exchange Avenue,
Suite F
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
405.317.6361
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Ron Hays
Director of Farm Programming
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network
405.473.6144
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